I am getting ready to upgrade my point and shoot camera. I have a Panasonic lumix DMC-ZS7 which worked well for me but now is old. I need something small and unassuming that I plan to use for street photos and other times when my big canon EOS with long lenses is too intimidating. Of course, I need it to be able to take great pictures :).
Any body here have input on whether I should go mirrorless, any suggestions....
Moderate price range as this is secondary camera.
Thanks, Lisa in st pete.
mirrorless is definitely the way to go... and there are oodles of options... i have the sony nex7... it's been replaced by a new series, but i am not sure what it is called... it is a fantastic camera, but... it wasn't cheap... and there aren't oodles of lens options... i also never fell in love with the user interface...
when i was last at the camera store bemoaning the things i don't like about the sony (and the weight of my canon 70D), the guy told me that i "needed" (;p) to trade all my gear in and get either a fuji xt -1 or x-pro2, or the olympus omd em1...
i am so NOT ready to do that as yet, but he wrote those models down on a card for me for when i am...
i have a Sony A65, which is obsolete, lol but there are newer models. I love it because I can use Mintolta glass A mount lenses. BUT.....if I had to do it all again, or if I won the lottery, I'd rush right out and get the latest Fuji X1 or X2. I have an amazing Sony point and shoot, but recently invested in a Fuji X100t. Not cheap, and it's a fixed lens camera, although that's one reason I bought it. Look at @ukandie profile for recent shots with her new Fuji X70, that might be one to consider since it's even smaller than the X100t.
@lisainstpete@northy The sony ,mirrorless series is the A6000, A63000 crop sensor. The A7 series is full-frame mirrorless. The A7RM2 being the flagship camera today. For $100 more you can get the Sony RX1M2 full frame mirrorless in the style of a point & shoot camera, but it does a whole lot more.
My son gave me a Sony A6000 just as I was about to replace my Pentax K30. I absolutely love it--the photos are sharp, the kit lenses (16-50 and 55-210) are decent and the controls are pretty intuitive even for a long-time Pentax shooter. Travel is so much easier with a lighter camera! I plan to sell most of my lenses (sorry, Pentax) though I did buy an adaptor.
I have an Olympus OMD EM-1. It uses the micro 4/3rd lenses, so there are many to choose from. I really like the in-camera stabilization features. I researched a lot before I bought it, because I was moving from a point & shoot to a long-term camera/lens system. I just love it. Not cheap, sorry, but so compact, lightweight and the quality of the photos is great. Many features, etc. Too many to describe here. A big selling point for me is the lightness of all the gear. If you want a full frame in the mirrorless category, I think that Sony is the only one out there right now. I have heard great things about Fuji, but I want to change lenses. Good luck!
Just to add to your confusion, I have the Samsung NX-300 with 2 interchangeable lenses which we use when we travel as it is light. It takes great pictures (in RAW too). We love it!
just traded my canon gear in for a mirrorless camera. i love what I've chosen. it takes very nice quality photos, is small and convenient and it is so pretty too. the guy raved about it in the camera shop and i did my own research. i didn't care about going full frame which is why i didn't go for the em1.instead I've got an em5 mark ii. imo a fab and very capable camera
I traded my Canon 50D and lenses for the OLY E-M5 when it first came out.
Never regretted it once. All that being weighed down by a big body and those L lenses - gone! Oly prime lenses are lovely, relatively inexpensive and there's loads to choose from. Give it a go, what's to lose? Whatever you go for, if you really don't like it I'm sure somebody on here would give you a price for it.
@northy
omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it........... ;)
me too, thanks for all the options listed. And in case of emergency, $10 disposable cameras are still available, where one has the prescriptions filled.
I've had a Sony a6000 mirrroless camera for just over a year and it's ace, LOVE it. It's just about to be superseded by the a6300 so that should soon make the a6000 a bit cheaper.
If you are going to keep your Canon DSLR, I presume you are, could I suggest you look into the new class of one inch sensor "upscale" or "enthusiast' compacts? Something like...
Having two interchangeable lens cameras with different lens mounts does seem cumbersome (and expensive) to me.
Such cameras will typically shoot raw, and the video, especially 4K, especially Sony, will blow your socks off. I personally have the Sony RX100 IV and it's always in my pocket. You may prefer one with a longer zoom range though.
The Olympus OM-D ILC cameras mentioned enthusiastically above, I have little experience shooting, but would point out they have separate interchangeable lenses and are premium priced. If you do want to consider an interchangeable lens (small) camera, the Sony a6000 is a bargain, and now with the a6300 on the horizon a real steal. Its AF is brilliant, has a large APS-C sensor, and great video (no 4K, that's in the a6300). Sony documentation though is dreadful, and the menu system can overwhelm. As is typical for Sony. The kit lenses are adequate, but "upscale" glass is expensive. Again typical of Sony.
@frankhymus tx :) i actually was picking up the sony RX100 IV at the time i had this conversation... the guy was trying to convince me to trade both my canon and nex7 in for an OMD or fuji... i quite like the RX100 although i'm still learning the controls... (as an example my latest architecture shot has an ISO of 500... i THOUGHT i had dropped it down to 100, but apparently mucked up when saving the new setting)...
and yes, the guy at the store made the same comment about having two systems... i like the canon and sony for different purposes and don't consider them interchangeable or the result of an unhealthy gear acquisition syndrome... but the guy was saying i could get one system and have it work for all my needs... i expect he's right, but just not ready yet...
@northy@frankhymus@quietpurplehaze@jaynspain@dibzgreasley. Again, thanks, I am planning on keeping and developing my canon DSLR line. I have the rebel t4i an have recently bought 2 beautiful new lenses for it. So I am needing something small enough to slip inot my pocket or purse to carry on lunchtime walks etc. not really looking to start a whole new lens collection.
It seems to come down to : do I want a bigger APS-c sensor and better quality or do I want to have the nice zooms available on the higher grade compacts but have a smaller sensor card.
I wonder how much of a difference in quality there is between a 1 inch card and a APS-c card??
@lisainstpete Actually depends on the image processor behind it. And the technology used in the sensor. Sony's is "stacked" and "back side illuminated" - which basically means that (1) the pixel data can get off the sensor quickly, often helped by a specialized on-sensor microprocessor, making AF, video, continuous shooting and image processing very efficient, and (2) there is less wiring and junk on the front of the sensor facing the light to get in the way of the light, providing a wider "cone of light" to each pixel. This (2) will also allow these small sensor cameras to give a wider range of DoF possibilities, one of the major criticisms leveled at them. Personally, I think Sony is quite a way ahead of other sensor manufacturers, and you see Sony sensors in other manufacturers' cameras.
Truth to tell, the current batch of new cameras will give you as good or better all-round performance than your close to four years old vintage T4i. That's how fast sensor technology is moving right now, no disrespect to the T4i. Despite double the "crop factor" and 1/4 the overall area of the respective compacts with respect to APS-C.
@quietpurplehaze The high end Panasonic compacts are now coming out with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, about twice the area of the one inch ones I was writing about. And this is a good thing... Fujifilm too I think, but I don't follow the company closely.
@lisainstpete I was shooting a Canon 5D and a little over a year ago picked up the Sony a6000 as a smaller camera for travel. For the price, ( I think I paid a little over $800 CDN for the body, the 16-50mm kit lens and a 55-210 mm zoom lens), I think it was probably the best photography investment I've made. With those 2 lenses it makes a very nice, light weight ,and relatively small combination for travel. If I want better IQ, or more reach, I can still use my Canon lenses with an adapter. One downside is that, with the adapter on the a6000, you pretty much lose usable AF and have to rely on MF, but that is something that I've kind of got used to. I have heard that the newer ( and more pricey) a6300 will give you fairly good auto focus with a Metabones adapter ( about another $400 for the adapter though).
I can't compare it to the other cameras mentioned here, but I can say that I really like the a6000 and the last two years when I've gone on vacation intending to spend a lot of time on photography, I've taken it and just left the Canon at home
@gardencat@frankhymus@quietpurplehaze@quietpurplehaze thanks for the info and suggestions. I am in research faze, I do like the look of the sonya6000 but was hoping to spend less. I am also liking several of the lumix options. Frank, no offense about the T4i vintage reference, sad but true.
Will let you know hoe it turns out.No particular hurry since I have my ancient lumix
Thanks for that, Frank - very helpful as I looked at a chart on sensor size but could not afterwards remember which was better micro 4/3rds or 1 inch. I'm looking closely at these new compact cameras and would like one but so far there is always something lacking - no viewfinder or a tiny one, lack of acceptable zoom etc.
Both of my cameras are from the FujiFilm stable being the X-M1 and the X-Pro1. They do work well in for taking arty type shots where you have time to set things up. Being Contrast detection don't work well for moving subjects The ones that to have phaze-detection auto focus don't manage really quick situations like motor-sport. This was also the finding of more of my friends who tried it for motor sport then switched to Olympus. professional range.
Thats my experience with the Fujis and for me and my normal photography they work well however if people now know how to give be a headache for the get pushed challenge.
Good luck, I hope you enjoy using it. There are so many good cameras out there today that I don't think any one is necessarily "the right one" it's just a case of getting one that meets most your needs and then learning to use it to take advantage of it's best features.
I don't have a mirror-less but from what I've heard the battery charge is very short and so you will change batteries often and/or have a lot of extra batteries available if shooting for any length of time. For me personally that is a deal breaker. I could be wrong - I don't own one.. .
I bought a second hand (but like new!) Olympus OMD EM5 Mk1 after using Nikons for ages. It was a revelation! I'm still learning its tricks (& its menu!) but love it! So light to carry & it's made me much more creative.
Yes it does eat more batteries than my Nikon, but I have 3 batteries - 1 in the camera & always carry 2 as back ups. It's not really an issue - I've bought Olympus equivalent ones & just recharge them as & when.
I've only got the 12-50 lens at the mo but I am always looking for bargains ;)
I love my new Sony RX100 IV, I can take it any where and does a fantastic job. The Sony RX100 III is much cheaper and does every thing the IV does except 4K video. I'm still leaning all the features the RX100 IV can do.
@myhrhelper I rarely shoot more than 250 in one day. In that situation the only times I've had to change batteries was when I didn't recharge after a short (< 30 shots) the previous day. That's with both the Olympus EM5 and EM10. Compared to a DSLR, that's eating batteries. I gladly made the trade off for the savings in weight and bulk, plus the fine, fast, tiny primes.
@fotoblah Yes I know there are many people who love them and I think it makes sense for a lot of people. For me personally I often do longer lasting photoshoots - events, weddings, and other family photo shoots etc. I don't take as many shots as in the past since I have learned to get it better in the camera but when shooting a larger group of people the chances of someone doing something strange or eyes closed is greater so I take more shots to make sure I've captured a good one or if I need to do a composite in photoshoot - last resort.
Just got a Nikon1 J5 which I love so far. I was surprised at how small it was. It will do most everything I want, I don't use long lenses anymore since my stroke. It seems that a sensor that is used in a lot of these cameras isn't available because of an earthquake and some of the cameras are backordered. After I got mine they were backordered...
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when i was last at the camera store bemoaning the things i don't like about the sony (and the weight of my canon 70D), the guy told me that i "needed" (;p) to trade all my gear in and get either a fuji xt -1 or x-pro2, or the olympus omd em1...
i am so NOT ready to do that as yet, but he wrote those models down on a card for me for when i am...
thanks for the input. I have lots of homework to do.Fun, if a bit overwhelming.
Never regretted it once. All that being weighed down by a big body and those L lenses - gone! Oly prime lenses are lovely, relatively inexpensive and there's loads to choose from. Give it a go, what's to lose? Whatever you go for, if you really don't like it I'm sure somebody on here would give you a price for it.
omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it omd em1 need it........... ;)
I've had a Sony a6000 mirrroless camera for just over a year and it's ace, LOVE it. It's just about to be superseded by the a6300 so that should soon make the a6000 a bit cheaper.
Sony RX100 IV (or III for $150 less)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx100-iv
The new DL trio from Nikon, not yet available I think
http://www.dpreview.com/news/4350500600/cp-2016-nikon-shows-off-new-d5-d500-and-dl-compacts
From Canon
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-powershot-g3-x-what-you-need-to-know
And from Lumix, the DMC ZS100 (TZ100 outside the US)
http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasonic_dmczs100
Having two interchangeable lens cameras with different lens mounts does seem cumbersome (and expensive) to me.
Such cameras will typically shoot raw, and the video, especially 4K, especially Sony, will blow your socks off. I personally have the Sony RX100 IV and it's always in my pocket. You may prefer one with a longer zoom range though.
The Olympus OM-D ILC cameras mentioned enthusiastically above, I have little experience shooting, but would point out they have separate interchangeable lenses and are premium priced. If you do want to consider an interchangeable lens (small) camera, the Sony a6000 is a bargain, and now with the a6300 on the horizon a real steal. Its AF is brilliant, has a large APS-C sensor, and great video (no 4K, that's in the a6300). Sony documentation though is dreadful, and the menu system can overwhelm. As is typical for Sony. The kit lenses are adequate, but "upscale" glass is expensive. Again typical of Sony.
One final link commentary about this new 'enthusiast compact" class of camera.
http://www.dpreview.com/opinion/1169183294/opinion-enthusiast-compacts-have-finally-come-of-age?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
and yes, the guy at the store made the same comment about having two systems... i like the canon and sony for different purposes and don't consider them interchangeable or the result of an unhealthy gear acquisition syndrome... but the guy was saying i could get one system and have it work for all my needs... i expect he's right, but just not ready yet...
sorry for hijacking your thread Lisa!!
It seems to come down to : do I want a bigger APS-c sensor and better quality or do I want to have the nice zooms available on the higher grade compacts but have a smaller sensor card.
I wonder how much of a difference in quality there is between a 1 inch card and a APS-c card??
Why not have a look at the new Panasonic Lumix cameras?
Truth to tell, the current batch of new cameras will give you as good or better all-round performance than your close to four years old vintage T4i. That's how fast sensor technology is moving right now, no disrespect to the T4i. Despite double the "crop factor" and 1/4 the overall area of the respective compacts with respect to APS-C.
I can't compare it to the other cameras mentioned here, but I can say that I really like the a6000 and the last two years when I've gone on vacation intending to spend a lot of time on photography, I've taken it and just left the Canon at home
Will let you know hoe it turns out.No particular hurry since I have my ancient lumix
Thanks for that, Frank - very helpful as I looked at a chart on sensor size but could not afterwards remember which was better micro 4/3rds or 1 inch. I'm looking closely at these new compact cameras and would like one but so far there is always something lacking - no viewfinder or a tiny one, lack of acceptable zoom etc.
Thats my experience with the Fujis and for me and my normal photography they work well however if people now know how to give be a headache for the get pushed challenge.
Yes it does eat more batteries than my Nikon, but I have 3 batteries - 1 in the camera & always carry 2 as back ups. It's not really an issue - I've bought Olympus equivalent ones & just recharge them as & when.
I've only got the 12-50 lens at the mo but I am always looking for bargains ;)